need help

[Ranger123]

i am 21 weeks post and geno 3a  i was <5 when i stopped tx.now my viral load is back up to 1 ml.i had to stop tx after 32 weeks  because of the side effects. i did the pegintron and rib.now my dr is putting me on pegasys. he said that it has less sides. i am really not sold on that because of what i hear from poeple.i need some input from people who did both tx. thanks tim.

[quak]

I've only done tx once and it was with Pegasys/ribva and I've cleared at 12 and 24 weeks. You still get side no matter what maybe less that peg-intron. My genotype is 1a bx1.  So I have never done peg-intron but I do hear about a lot people switching over some say Pegasys has a slight chance better for us 1's.

Good luck, Lori

[shebee]

Hi there...Hubby did Peg intron/riba for about 8 weeks.  He was going to STOP tx because the sides were so bad for him.  He did not miss work, but every waking moment was spent in BED.   He was so sick.  When Pegasys became available, he switched;  the sides were like night & day.  Although he still had sides, he was able to function much better.  Pegasys was much easier!

Don't stop tx....switch!  

Hang in there,
Shebee

[cmurphy]

Hi.  I don't mead to be nosy, but why did you do 32 weeks of tx instead of 24?  Were you also clear at 12/24 weeks?  I am a 3a, in week 15 of Peg-intron.  Only slated to do 24 weeks.  Clear at 12 weeks.  Thanks for any input.

[Micro2]

Hello all, Prior to tx, my heptimax was 857,000...at 3 months it was 59,000...at 6 months it was 660...at 9 months it was 15... at 48 weeks it was 74...at 51 weeks ribavirin was stopped...at 52 weeks heptimax was 30...just did my 55th shot of peg/intron...starting next week I will do 180mcg of Pegasys for 2 months and then 130mcg of Pegasys for another 2 months...there will be no more ribavirin during this period...I must tell you that I feel 20 to 30% better JUST having stopped the ribavirin!!...I am 1b stage 1 grade 1 and 48 yrs old...I am hoping to kill this thing before I let up!! Good luck to all and thanks for being here!!

[doll face]

I am on my second round with tx the first time with pegintron. I didn't clear on it till 24 weeks, stayed on for 48. One  month later the doctor callled and said I had relasped. viral count was back up too 1,890,000 They started me on pegasys/copegus the sides are so much better still have lots of sides but much easier to handle, at 6 weeks my viral load was down to 1540.Just took my 12 week test on Friday so wil know the results in 8 days. ALT is 29  which is great and all of my blood counts are low but within range.I am type 1A. I would try the pegasys if I was you. Take the chance. Fight the dragon any way you can.

[Ranger123]

hi lori,my dr was treating me for 48 wks because my viral load was 9ml. my biopsy is stage 3.i did not have any symptoms from the hep c after tx just went for blood test. i felt great and still do after stopping tx.also i was clear at 12/24 wks hope this helps.it great you are still clear keep up the good work.  good luck tim.

[cmurphy]

Ranger - thanks for your response.  

Blueskies - what was your VL?  Mine was 18,900,000 to start with, clear at 12 weeks.  I did not do a biopsy, did you?  I know that Harley Dude and others are talking about doing more than 24 weeks, but my doc said not necessary and the stats don't seem to bear it out.  Thanks for your reply.  Cheryl